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Posted by Troll
- August 28, 2012, 09:38:01 AMDon't go over 50 psi...and with just you, 30 will be fine. I'm running 25 and happy . Rebound set at 4 will help minimize shaft jacking and rear lift during heavy braking.
Posted by espiros
- August 28, 2012, 09:27:22 AMHi there,
I had the same questions about the 1500 Drifter.
Hottter than others.....Yes, but...Lot nicer than all!
So, I'm happy and just remeber to move my leg little bit out the pipes (V&H)
Shocks.....
I had the same problem, last 2 owners never check the air pressure in those shocks...I'm 220 so...The first time I rode it, it tough there was something wrong with them.
After I move them to the 4th position and put air in them (30 PSI) now I feel like I'm in a Cadillac....
And, I read somewhere that you could go all up to 70 PSI in those shocks....Just try to inflate them and you will feel the difference
Posted by Slave to the lens
- August 26, 2012, 21:41:12 PMLos Angeles here, and my fan comes on sometimes during stop and go 1st through 3rd traffic light traffic, but it's often when it's already 90 out.
Posted by waltervl
- August 23, 2012, 05:45:30 AMI heard my fan switch on only once in the year that I have my Drifter now, and that after a long hot summer ride with passenger in the hills and it switched on in a traffic jam in a small village.
Posted by 45 Bravo
- August 22, 2012, 19:08:17 PMI agree with chief, My 99's fan never came on in the first 8 months i owned it.
FINALLY, one day i was slowly cruising through a campground in first gear, when it came on.
My friends 800 classic's fan had been running for several minutes before mine came on.
In just normal daily operations (that doesn't involve extended traffic stops) it shouldn't come on.
Good Luck.
45 Bravo
Posted by chief
- August 22, 2012, 16:31:54 PMA couple of things... all engines have a temperature range at which they operate best. With liquid cooled, you get cooling regardless of wind/ambient temps. That's a good thing. However, at slow speeds the bike depends upon the electric fan. This fan operates within a certain temp range. Slow speed runs will cause the engine to get hotter and will activate the fan... this is going to be at the upper temperature range.
Our bikes' fan doesn't run much, almost never during routine riding situations.Posted by mbk
- August 22, 2012, 15:26:37 PMQuote from: waltervl on August 22, 2012, 11:28:46 AMThis is helpful because I was just taking it for short jaunts in first and second, maybe third, int he subdivision -- lots of low speed driving, no chance for rushing air to cool it off. I thought a liquid cooled engine was to run cooler, but then this is a lot of engine and even my car engine, liquid cooled and all, is hot when I am driving it. Now it's just a matter of going for an extended ride and seeing ift hat is better. Thanks to everyone for answering this, it's really helpful. MikeJust got home from my work (20 min drive) and felt the airbox covers. Hand warm, definitely not hot. Left even warmer then right (warmed by engine air intake?) The left one is the air intake and filter, right is not real airbox intake, has no filter and it gets its air from the left one.
But after 15 min sitting in the garage I felt again and then both got the heat of the engine and felt hot.
Temperature outside here is 25 degrees C now (nice drive weather)
So perhaps you felt it while running to engine without driving some time?
Posted by ChilliDrift
- August 22, 2012, 11:43:03 AMTook a road thrip over 4th of July on my 99. We went through mts and traffic before my radiator fan came on. I was beginning to think it didnt work. But I have V&H Longshots on mine and man they do get hot Me and Sweetie have matching burn scars.. But I think its all normal. No major heat from the air covers. But there is a decent ammt of heat comming up between your legs. I love my 99. Enjoy.
Posted by waltervl
- August 22, 2012, 11:28:46 AMJust got home from my work (20 min drive) and felt the airbox covers. Hand warm, definitely not hot. Left even warmer then right (warmed by engine air intake?) The left one is the air intake and filter, right is not real airbox intake, has no filter and it gets its air from the left one.
But after 15 min sitting in the garage I felt again and then both got the heat of the engine and felt hot.
Temperature outside here is 25 degrees C now (nice drive weather )
So perhaps you felt it while running to engine without driving some time?
Posted by Troll
- August 22, 2012, 07:51:17 AMI guess I never really noticed excessive heat. After riding H-Ds for more than 45 years, the toasted right leg must be numb. I road a Victory Vision a few years ago, and that sucker makes some serious HEAT....
Posted by mbk
- August 22, 2012, 07:09:49 AMI agree the heat is relative, but I was a bit surprised that I could feel it through the air cleaner covers, especially the right side, which had enough heat to be mildly painful.
Posted by Troll
- August 22, 2012, 06:41:57 AMI'm about your size, and I'm running 25 psi in the rear shocks. It's not as good a ride over bumps as my TourGlide, but it's pretty much ok. I would like it to be more compliant, but then it weighs over 200 ls. less. The heat thing is relative, I guess. All exposed engines generate heat you can feel right away. The big heat source is likely the exhaust system. If all the heat shields are in place, it should be manageable, but if they are not, or it's an aftermarket exhaust, the heat coming off the head pipes can be an issue. To check the coolant level, there is a window on the right side, at the front edge of the side cover with a plastic tank sticking out just behind the cylinder...or you could take out the one phillips screw and remove the right side cover.
The stock exhaust has a very large collector mounted in the rear, on the right side, and a black "goat bladder" premuffler behind the engine, between the back of the trans and the rear wheel.
Posted by waltervl
- August 22, 2012, 02:28:26 AMThe cable on the right side is indeed the idle adjustment, the choke is under the ignition key on the left side.
Running hot? I don't feel mine is running hot.
Suspension, I have the european version so no air. Did the drifter went down a little bit when you sat down on it or a lot?
If you are not sure try to get along someone with knowledge for a second look. And if it does not feel right dont do it, even when it is such a nice motor (and Drifters are). I have myself lead by wanting to have it and it came back to me every time the wrong way
Posted by mbk
- August 21, 2012, 21:30:42 PMONE MORE THING - Guy showed me on right side there was cable with thumbscrew or similar on end of it to adjust what he said was the choke, but what I thought was idle - on a cable ablout four or five inches long just hanging down - is that correct?
Posted by mbk
- August 21, 2012, 21:24:29 PMA FEW MORE DETAILS - it does not smell like coolant and it does not smell hot - it's just a presence of heat off the engine area - cleaner covers moreso than I felt with the time I rode an 800. It has stock pipes as well, no changes there that I know of.